Too Luxe: Out of Their Minds Edition

Apparently the people at Coach have gone and lost their minds. The above monstrosity (how about some more hardware? I think there's an inch that's free) is being sold for $20,000. $20,000!!!! I've said it before and I'll say it again until someone starts listening to me... People in the market for $20,000 bags DO NOT BUY COACH. Arghh!! And this bag's ugly sister is selling for even more. If I didn't love my new boots so much, I would retract my ode from last week. When will the folly of the overpriced handbag be over? It's ridiculous. What next? A $10,000 Le Sportsac?

Purse Envy

I had to post this picture of Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara wearing matching Valentino Histoire handbags. It's really just too cute for words. And who knew Valentino made a mini-Histoire? And more importantly, how do I get my hands on one???

Picture source

Frankenstein Bag: Part 2

I guess you can't wear a $52,000 handbag just once, right?

Beyonce wears that monstrous Louis Vuitton Tribute bag while leaving the MTV TRL show. Similar to her previous outing, she pairs the patchwork Tribute with a white t-shirt and jeans. What other wardrobe options are there for such an overpowering bag?

Me & My Bulga

As you may remember, I've been contemplating purchasing a Bulga handbag for a few months now. I just wasn't willing to pay $600 or more for one. In the hierarchy of labels that exists in my mind (Marc Jacobs being at the top of that hierarchy), Bulga is just not a brand I am willing to shell out major cash for. I think Bulga makes lovely handbags but they have not established the brand cache in the fashion world that would make it justifiable to spend that kind of money on their accessories.

Although I had been invited to the Bulga Sample Sale, my schedule was so hectic that week that I wasn't able to attend. But lo and behold, a few weeks ago I was doing one of my daily checks of my favorite online stores' sale pages and I found the Bulga Double Strap Pocket Satchel on sale at Neiman Marcus and ShopBop! Wahoo! Both stores had the bag on sale in all colors for $446. While this was a good deal since the bag was originally priced at $638, I still thought that was a little high. So every morning I would go back and check both stores and hope that the bag would go down in price a little more. Miraculously one morning, as I was sipping my coffee at work and trying to get ready for the long day ahead, I clicked onto the Bulga brand listing on ShopBop and saw that the Double Strap Pocket Satchel had went down to $319! I wanted to spin around in my chair, shake my cubicle-mate and shout, "The Bulga bag I want is HALF-PRICED!!!!" But she wouldn't have cared and I would have looked foolish. I contained my excitement and went ahead and ordered the bag.

My purse came in the mail about six days later and I love it. The leather is buttery soft and it's the perfect size for all my essentials (wallet, make-up kit, Ipod, Blackberry) as well as a good book to read on the subway ride home from work. And, of course, there's nothing as satisfying as getting something you want at a bargain price. The peculiar part of this story is that the bag I bought is back to full price on ShopBop. That just goes to show that being a power shopper and finding a good deal requires vigilance, determination and just a little good luck. Happy shopping!

SALE: Bulga!

Look what arrived in my inbox today:

(Click image to enlarge.)

I can only assume that this is a sign from above that me and this bag are meant to be together. See you at the sale!

A Day at the Beach with Juicy

Tomorrow is the first day of summer. While I don't have any travel plans for the season, I do intend to visit the beaches of Long Island. My usual beach tote is the classic LL Bean boat and tote, but Juicy Couture has some adorable and functional beach bags that are making me rethink my typical choice. In addition to the bags looking great, they also come with a beach towel or mat that makes them totally functional. And you don't have to worry about making a big dent in your wallet with a designer beach bag since Neiman Marcus has them ON SALE!

Juicy Riviera Tote & Mat $169 (from $225) This one is my personal favorite! It can also double as a yoga bag and mat.

Juicy Islands Bag with Towel $124 (from $165)

Juicy Malibu Beach Tote & Towel $116 (from $156)

Since I'm a big believer in mixing designer items with mass brands, I would pair my new Juicy beach tote with this Gap bikini (also on sale!).
Gap Eyelet Crochet Triangle Top $24.99 (from $32.50)
Gap Eyelet Crochet String Bikini $24.99 (from $32.50)


Have fun at the beach!

UPDATE: The Saks.com sale has the Juicy beach bags for even lower prices than Neiman Marcus! My Saks links rarely work properly, but you can search the sale by category and then by brand to find the Juicy bags. Check it out here.

Too Luxe: Coach PVC Tote

I'm not sure exactly when it started, but recently designer handbags have gone from a bit expensive to the absolutely absurd when it comes to prices. While I understand that some handbags should be expensive due to the quality of the materials and craftsmanship involved in making them, it has gotten to the point that designers think that slapping a luxury brand name on any old purse makes it reasonable to charge several hundred or over a thousand dollars. Case in point: the Coach PVC tote.

This purse made of PVC (ie. plastic) with leather trim costs $498. The Coach web site lists this as being ideal for the beach or travel and they are right. But why would I spend nearly $500 on a purse that I will put on hot sand and allow to get wet? And it's PVC! How do you justify that kind of price tag for that material? If you love the idea of a PVC tote for summer but don't want to spend $500 for a plastic bag, try this one from Nine West instead.

Tazio Medium Plastic Tote $29.99 (on sale!)

Dream Item of the Day

I've been obsessed with red accessories ever since I noticed what a popular trend red shoes had become among the celebrity set. But even more than being trendworthy, a pair of red shoes or a red handbag can add just the right POP! to an otherwise conservative outfit.

Beyond adding a little spice, the Valentino Histoire bag in red has beautiful details like braided handles and oversized buckles. It's also very functional with two outer front pockets to stash those items you need quick access to.

At $1,595 this bag is out of my price range but Jennifer Garner looks pretty cool toting hers.

Bulga, I Think I Love You

Handbags.

Just the word alone makes my heart beat a little faster. How can a fashionista not have a handbag obsession? These days, women are carrying around more junk on a regular basis than ever. In addition to the neccessities of a wallet, keys and makeup bag, we have to carry a cell phone, Blackberry, MP3 player, PDA and maybe even a laptop, too. And for long subway rides to work, how does one survive without a good book or magazine? Of course you need to have something stylish to haul all of that stuff in. And like potato chips, you can't stop at just one handbag. You need one for work, one for weekend, one for evening, one that matches your favorite pair of stilettos... The list just doesn't end.

While for the most part I am completely brand loyal in the handbag department, I have been considering cheating on my main-man Marc Jacobs with Bulga. The Bulga line is designed by Natalia Konovalova, who is a former model from the Soviet Union. She named the line for the Latin word "bulga" which means leather handbag. True to their Latin name, the purses are made with buttery soft leather, have fun details like super-long zipper pulls and many have multiple exterior pockets. The exterior pocket is non-negotiable for me since I need quick access to my MetroCard, work ID card and phone.

Here are a few of my favorite Bulga offerings.

Bulga Double Strap Pocket Satchel $638

Bulga Multi-Pocket Shoulder Bag $740

Bulga Triple Zip Shoulder Bag $680

Bulga Ruched Satchel $585